New Study Links Two Nutrients to Accumulation of Fat in The Liver

Added by on September 29, 2011

A recent study sheds important light to the maintenance of liver health, more specifically, accumulation of fat in the liver or “Fatty Liver”, a condition mostly associated with the high consumption of alcohol (Alcoholic Fatty Liver) and/or other conditions such as Metabolic Syndrome (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver), all of which involve some types of energy pathways.

This recent study correctly links the accumulation of fat in the liver to lack of an essential nutrient “Choline” as a cause and another nutrient, Omega-3, as a potential therapeutic target for removing the accumulated fat.

According to the study, a fatty liver was forcibly created through removing choline from the diet, thus, making a definitive conclusion that lack of dietary choline would cause fatty liver.

While the study correctly relates one of the causes of fatty liver to the lack of dietary choline but it, surprisingly, stops short of a definitive recommendation that dietary intake of choline would indeed remove, at least, one of the causes of fatty liver.

Notwithstanding the above, inadequate dietary supplementation of choline for those with high consumption of alcohol would also result in the accumulation of fat in the liver.

Studies going back to 1954 have established that alcohol increases the requirement of choline intake. (1)

Accordingly, and without a doubt, high consumption of alcohol would create a substantial choline deficiency and thus lead to accumulation of fat in the liver, equal in nature and mechanism as the one forcibly caused in the study.

Choline belongs to a group of nutrients known as Electrophilic Methyl Group (EMG), which have been suggested to eliminate a by-product of alcohol metabolism called NADH, a molecule that is normally associated with the production of energy (citric acid cycle). (2)

However, aside from the citric acid cycle, NADH is also produced as a by-products of alcohol metabolism but here it becomes a source of false energy; thus interfering with the metabolism of fat in the liver and, inevitably, results in accumulation of fat in the liver. Choline being a part of EMG, capable of removing NADH from Alcohol metabolism,should have also been recommended as a potential therapeutic vehicle for removing the fat; be it due to its deficiency in diet or its required adequate supplemental intake in the case of high alcohol consumption.

The study has also made a novel finding that intake of Omega-3 reduced the occurrence of fatty liver by 50%, a significant reduction. This is a very important finding in view of the fact that Omega-3 is normally recommended for the mental health and/or cardiovascular health.

In conclusion, Nutri-Med Logic Corp. agrees with the study of Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, but adds that the conclusion of the study only recommended dietary intake of Omega-3 but that indeed and in fact should have also recommended the dietary intake of choline, as well, for those with fatty liver.

Nutri-Med Logic Corp is a producer of dietary supplements, such as Poly-Enyl-Phosphatidylcholine, a dietary supplement that has been recommended in Europe, for more than 50 years, for those with fatty liver or alcoholic liver disease.

Nutri-Med’s Poly-Enyl-Phosphatidylcholine is a pure and highly efficient source of choline, which its formulation follows the recommendation of the Food and Nutrition Board of FDA.

Nutri-Med Logic Corp is also a producer of a Concentrated and Balanced Omega-3: 50% DHA – 50% EPA

DHA of Omega-3 offers beneficial properties mainly for the brain, nervous system and EPA of Omega-3, offers beneficial properties in cardiovascular system.

Nutri-Med Logic’s products are Formulated Based on Nutritional Logic, made from the highest quality raw materials that are manufactured in pharmaceutical facilities, encapsulated in pharmaceutical facilities and, also, packaged in pharmaceutical facilities.

It must be noted that the studies, sources or statements, above and below, have not been evaluated by The FDA and, thus, one should not relate the cause of any diseases, stated herein, to lack of choline or Omega-3 dietary supplementation; nor equate their supplementation to prevention, treatment or cure.

1. J Exp Med. 1954 Dec 1;100(6):615-27
2. British Journal of Nutrition (2001), 85, 409-414